Charles Ellwood Colahan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 25 October 1849. Colahan graduated from the United States Naval Academy 4 June 1869. His long and active career included command of Indiana (BB-1) and Cleveland (C-19). Commander Colahan died at Lambertville, N.J., 11 March 1904. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and was appointed to the Naval Academy from that State in 1865. He served his country faithfully and well from the date of his appointment to the time of his death in 1904. During his long career in the Navy it may truly be said of him that he never evaded duty no matter how disagreeable. He was actively employed during his entire period of service in most conspicuous duties, being Executive Officer of the Detroit during the war with Spain, and as Commandant of Cadets at the Naval Academy from 1900 to 1904. It has been the lot of few men to have made and kept so many friends. Known throughout the Navy by young and old, to the young officer he was the beau ideal of what a Naval officer should be. He displayed in his life that high sense of duty and loyalty which, combined with courtesy and consideration for others, ever resulted in the best work enthusiastically performed. To the older members of the service he was a loved friend on whom, in official and in private life, the fullest dependence was placed. In him the Navy had a devoted servant whose aim from youth up was to advance its interest and to add to its efficiency. He left a memory of priceless to his country and to his service. Photo from the “Biographical Sketches of Distinguished Officers of the Army and Navy” (1905).

Bill Gonyo

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Artist's conception of the Colahan by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett with the text written by naval author and historian Robert F. Sumrall. Their company Navy Yard Associates offers prints of most destroyers, destroyer escorts, submarines and aircraft carriers in various configurations during the ship's lifetime. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph, your bio, etc. If you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource.

USS Colahan (DD-658) underway, probably while being delivered to the Navy by her builder, Bethlehelm Steel Company, Staten Island, New York. The original negative in the National Archives is dated 21 August 1943, two days before she was commissioned. Note that Colahan is not flying the National Ensign and that her 20mm and 40mm guns, searchlights, and Mark 51 gun directors are covered with black tarps. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo #: NH 107200.

Forward COLAHAN stack, 1944-1950. The "Tomcat" insignia was initially designed/painted by the COLAHAN in World War II, then quickly adopted by other warships in Destroyer Squadron 53, the so-called "Tomcat Squadron." The insignia here has been colorized accurately: black & white snarling cat on a yellow field encircled by a dark green "C." The name "Tomcat" refers to advanced Fast Carrier Task Force pickets, prowling far out front of the fleet.

Jackson Sellers

USS COLAHAN DD-658 History
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